Award-Winning Advice: Surround Yourself With Good People

You’d never know it to see him now, but Mike Pressgrove, founder of PDQ Construction in Topeka, Kansas, originally wasn’t at all interested in the construction industry. His father was a carpenter and taught young Pressgrove the trade, but when he graduated high school and it was time to figure out a career, his dreams were elsewhere.

“Growing up helping my father on his carpentry jobs, I thought to myself, ‘I don’t think I can do this,’” Pressgrove said. “So, the minute I could, I told my parents ‘Sorry, but I'm going to do something different.’”

And that he did. Pressgrove joined the Air Force straight out of high school and was stationed in Oklahoma, where he served as a crew chief servicing aircraft. However, when his military tour ended, Pressgrove found himself back in Kansas and discovered that carpentry was more in his blood than he first thought. He promptly found work as a carpenter — ironically helping to rebuild military base housing.

It was gainful employment, and Pressgrove was good at it. He stayed busy for some years working for others, but after a while, he wondered if the time was right for him to go into business for himself.

“I incorporated on April Fool’s Day in 2003 and just started getting after it,” he said. “We were getting really popular with larger jobs and hiring people, and I quickly came to the realization that being a good carpenter didn't always make for being a good business owner, because I lacked those skills.”

Pressgrove was wise enough to know there were things he didn’t know. But he was eager to learn more about running a business and fill in those knowledge gaps. That’s how he became involved with the National Association of Home Builders.

Utilizing NAHB Education and Networking Opportunities

“Before NAHB, it had just been the school of hard knocks and on-the-job-training for me,” says Pressgrove. Then in 2006, he traveled to Chicago for his first Remodeler Show, and inspiration struck.

He began taking a variety of courses offered by NAHB, earning credentials such as Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, Certified Green Professional, Certified Graduate Remodeler, and Graduate Master Remodeler.

“I don't think there's any kind of degree that would have given me that kind of information,” says Pressgrove. “This was back when you had to travel for the classes, and I went to 13 different cities to get this education.”

As important as the courses and certifications are, Pressgrove notes that the value of NAHB goes even further. “It’s the people you meet from all over the country. If you have questions about things, you can call them and ask, ‘Hey, you ever dealt with this? So how did you do it?’ It's just been the greatest networking experience,’” he says.

Ten years ago, Pressgrove was named president of the Kansas Building Industry Association, an affiliate of NAHB, and this year he’s being honored by NAHB as 2024 Remodeler of the Year.

Inspiring and Hiring Future Remodelers

It’s no secret that the construction workforce in the U.S. is aging, which means there’s an increased focus on attracting talent to the trades — a task Pressgrove has taken on. And not only is he working to attract newcomers to the industry, but he’s also helping to reinforce the value they bring and the good living they could earn. Whether it comes from a big heart, a passion for the Topeka community, or both, Pressgrove enjoys helping young people discover and build their futures:

• Pressgrove frequently speaks to high school students and those attending trade schools about the benefits of working in the remodeling industry.
• PDQ Construction also sponsors a program called Build My Future, which gives high school students the opportunity to get hands-on experience, explore a variety of career opportunities in the trades, and see what they can potentially earn after three to four years in the workforce.
• The company also hires high school interns for summer positions on crews, and many of them return as full-time employees.

Making a Difference

Doing a good job, doing what you say you’re going to do, and surrounding yourself with good people has served Pressgrove well over his 40-plus years in remodeling and 20-plus years as the founder of PDQ.

Those principles have also benefited home owners. For most people, buying a home will be the biggest investment they’ll ever make and likely the most important one for them and their families. Pressgrove and PDQ are committed to quality that lasts, and it shows — in hundreds of projects each year.

If you happen to visit Pressgrove’s Topeka office, you’ll see some remembrances of things past. He has several of his father’s old carpentry tools (a Yankee screwdriver, a brace and bit) that Pressgrove himself used as a boy. He’s come a long way since those early days, and he’s happy to inspire others come along the way too.

See the full article in the May-June 2025 issue of Pro Remodeler.